TWO WOMEN SENTENCED FOR DECADES OF SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST CHILDREN IN SOUTHAMPTON INVOLVING KIM RAQUET AND TINA HAYNES
Two individuals have been sentenced to prison for a series of sexual offences committed against three young girls in Southampton over a period of 12 years.During the sentencing hearing, two of the victims were present in court as Kim Raquet, 61, of Goodlands Cale, Hedge End, was sentenced to 12 years, and Tina Haynes, 57, of Hunts Mead, Sherbourne, Dorset, received a three-year term.
The offences occurred between 1981 and 1993, when the victims were aged nine to fifteen.
Following a trial at Southampton Crown Court, Raquet was convicted of six counts of indecent assault and one of indecency with a child.
Haynes was found guilty of three counts of child cruelty and one of indecency with a child.
The crimes came to light only after police were alerted in 2017, the court was told.
One of the victims read a personal impact statement in court, stating: "One of the hardest things I had to do was tell my husband and children what happened to me and ask for their support.
Having to tell my parents was so difficult.
To see them visibly upset made me so angry." She also described her experience of giving evidence at trial as: "I have never been so scared, nervous and humiliated in my life." Richard Tutt, representing Haynes, explained: "She has asked me to make an apology in open court to the two victims of her offending.
She is extremely sorry for what they went through." He also mentioned that Haynes’s co-defendant was "verbally violent" towards her, and said: "She took the course of least resistance and did not confront Raquet.
She accepts she could and should have acted differently." Tutt added that Haynes had led an unblemished life for the past 32 years.
Helen Easterbrook, representing Raquet, stated that Raquet was regarded as an outstanding member of the community by his colleagues and highlighted his voluntary work.
Judge Christopher Parker QC told the court that the victims suffered severe psychological harm as a result of repeated abuse, emphasizing: "The harm you caused—particularly you, Mr Raquet—could only be assessed as severe.
This investigation and trial have touched the rawest of nerves." He noted that most of the offences spanned years rather than days, weeks, or months.
The judge described Raquet as the main perpetrator but told Haynes, "You had plenty of choices you could exercise which these girls could not." Following the case, Detective Constable Mark Harris praised the victims for their bravery, saying: “I cannot praise the victims enough for the bravery and courage they have shown in reporting what happened.
The actions of Raquet and Haynes have had a significant impact on their lives.
I hope this sentence helps them move forward and encourages others who have suffered such abuse to come forward and speak to us.
We take allegations of this nature extremely seriously and work hard to bring offenders to justice.”
